SPRING in My Step

Almost into my 3rd trimester with Baby McQ #2, little Miss Lander Lee, I'm feeling well, but not-so-well-rested.  Still, I have more energy than I had 2 months ago, and believe me - I have needed it!  Of course we have gone to the zoo, and now Jack is learning to ride his bike with no training wheels, so it is imperative I am able to keep up with him!  Also, with this both awesome and oddly warm weather, spring has come early, and The McQ Zoo has had an itch to scratch for awhile now: CAMPING!

The calm before the storm

So the last weekend in March I took a Friday off work, and we made our way up north of Helen with 3 other couples, 2 more kids and 3 dogs...only to be rained on pretty much the entire time...which was, after all, short, b/c we left the next morning.  Our air mattress had popped the night before, so we were sleeping on the ground, which is hard for a pregnant woman who isn't supposed to be laying on her back anymore, and then to top it off the river of rain that was flowing under our tent began to penetrate through the seams and into our only dry zone. Around 2AM, we trekked through the monsoon to the cramped safety of the truck where the  benefits of warmth and dryness outweighed our inability to sleep.  Our dreams of a wonderful outdoor adventure were crushed by Mother Nature herself!  As soon as it was daylight and somewhat realistic to venture out of the truck we packed up our gear and eagerly headed home.

Reasons 1, 2 & 3 the air mattress popped: 

Jack, Aidan and Braeden jumping on it for entertainment during one of the flash flood showers!

Oh well, it was my fault for letting them!   

The next Monday Son-Day Jack and I spent the afternoon with our friends Kristin and Cora hanging out around the Marietta Square.  Jack gets to go there with his GRandi and PaPa quite often, so he is very familiar with the place and knows all about the trains. We played on the playground, got some ice cream and did a lot of walking, but we only heard one train from a distance during our entire adventure...until we were walking back to Kristin's house!  We heard a whistle, but we were not totally sure at first, thinking maybe it was the sound of traffic or sirens, but Jack insisted we wait, and I am SO GLAD we did!  Finally a super long and LOUD train blew its whistle to let us know it was on the way!  When it passed, the engineer even waved at Jack!  After the train passed, Jack was finally content to leave.  Daddy and Jeff met us back at the house and we made personalized pizzas for dinner.  It was nice to catch up with our friends, The Picken Family.  Here are some more pics from that day!

Best one I could get of Jack and Cora together!

The next weekend was Easter!  We started out on Saturday morning with Aidan's 4th birthday party!  When it was time for cake, Jack squeezed himself between Aidan and a little girl on the bench so that he could eat next to his pal!  

A bit later Jack and Aidan had a blast climbing on things and playing in the sand at Webb Bridge Park's super cool playground!  It was a great place for a party and a perfect start to the holiday weekend!

After Jack had a nice long nap, it was time for the Olanhunken Easter egg hunt and celebration.  We gathered at The Hunt House and the boys tried out their super sour Warheads spray candy (among other goodies) from Grandma and Grandpa!  Then they combed through the backyard on their quest for candy, quarters and other treats hiding in colorful plastic eggs!  They were all well-rewarded for their efforts!  Afterwards we had a big family meal at Outback Steakhouse, an Olanhunken Family favorite place to eat!

That night, the Easter Bunny visited and left a special Baseball themed basket for Jack!  

He was very excited when he woke up on Easter to find it!

Then Jack got to do another egg hunt!  The Easter Bunny was very clever with his egg-hiding!

Later that afternoon, we headed over to GRandi and PaPa's for another Easter celebration and meal. Normally the McQ girl cousins would be there too, but this year they opted to go out of town for Easter. We missed them, but no doubt, in their absence, Jack was the center of attention!  The Easter Bunny brought him more goodies and he got to do his 3rd egg hunt! He got a pair of Keen creek shoes, a new swim suit and an awesome bug catcher!  Before his nap, Jack and GRandi dyed Easter eggs together, and when he woke up, Jack helped set the table displaying his finished products!

The Easter Bunny also brought Baby Lander a special blankie and sheep wearing monogrammed bloomers!
Here Jack and I are cuddling with it!  (Not my best pic, but who cares!?!?)

The next day we got to hang out at the pool for a little while to celebrate Aidan's actual birthday with his family and have a little cookout.  Jack and I went down a bit early so Jack could test out the water...and it was C-O-L-D!  Here is a video of Jack's 1st time in the pool this season.  He forgot that he knows how to swim, so he was a bit hesitant to go out past the stairs, but in his desperation to reach an escaping toy, he braved the frigid waters!  I know it is kinda long, but the best part is at the end.  Sorry!!!

And my final thoughts for this post...I am not the most religiously educated person.  I can't quote anything out of the Bible, and aside from "Jesus Loves Me" and "Joyful, Joyful," I don't really know any hymns.  I don't go to church (right now), and I haven't made up my mind if I plan to any time soon.  Most of what I know I learned from watching Superbook videos as a kid, and although they were probably not ideal for teaching, I can't knock their value b/c I learned a lot of important lessons from them!  Still, I don't claim to really understand all the details of Easter and its meaning.  I get the big picture, that God sacrificed his son to save the rest of us from our sins, but I'm not sure how it all went down.  

But that doesn't mean I don't know and understand God.  Nor does it mean I don't believe in miracles, b/c let me assure you, I DO!  I have a beautiful relationship with God, and he continues to guide and provide for my family every day, always making sure we have exactly what we need.  And when I think we need more, He humbles me and keeps me grounded by reminding me of all the many blessings in my life.  He loves me and protects me and keeps me safe.  He offers comfort and guidance in my times of need, and He gives me courage and strength every day!  And on Easter, I once again reflect upon the amazing miracles of His son's birth and resurrection, and even though I have many unanswered questions, I am able to focus on what is most important in my life and thank God for His sacrifice and everything He has given me.  I am blessed, and THAT I know and understand.

Welcome to Spring!  It is a time for new beginnings, blooming flowers, lovely weather and family gatherings.  It is a time to be thankful...and I am.  :-)  

Oh yes, I certainly am!